Quality of life experience begins
with a healthy brain
If the brain is functioning well, life is easier, challenges are
met with fluidity, calm and focused mental states are more
accessible, sleep is refreshing, and relationships more gratifying.
When the brain is unhealthy or damaged, the effects are striking.
Aspects of life previously mentioned are difficult and symptoms
develop that result in psychological, emotional, or relational
pain. Chronic stress, trauma, early life experiences, insufficient
relational support, violent and abusive relationships, or simply
neglecting brain health can impair brain function. Neurofeedback is
a powerful tool to train the brain back to health and improved
quality of life.
What is
Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback, also called EEG Biofeedback, is a
method of brain training utilizing computer and
electroencephalographic (EEG) technology to help individuals
perform optimally and reduce undesirable
symptoms.
As groups of brain cells fire, they produce subtle electrical waves
which are measurable at the surface of the scalp with EEG sensors.
The brain produces more or less of particular waves when engaged in
various mental activities. For example, when individuals are
focused, they produce more intense higher frequency waves, called
beta (15-38 cycles per second), than when relaxed. Alternately, in
a relaxed state, alpha waves (8-14 cycles per second) are produced
at a greater intensity. When falling asleep, slower waves
abound.
Humans require the ability to transition to and from various mental
states to perform specific tasks. Inefficiencies in the form of
unwanted symptoms occur when the brain becomes “stuck” in a
particular state. For example, the brains of depressed individuals
often exhibit an imbalance of excessive slow brainwaves, and the
brains of those who are easily stressed or anxious produce
disproportionate fast waves.
Healthy brains retain the ability to flexibly move from state to
state when called upon to do so. People with flexible brains are
able to feel sadness without getting stuck in depression. Brains
that perform optimally are able to become highly focused,
productive and efficient one moment and calm and relaxed the next.
The brains of people who are chronically stressed have difficulty
shifting states necessary for rest and recovery. Neural flexibility
allows us to perform well at work, school or sports. Neurofeedback
can train the brain to become more flexible and less
“stuck.”
Flexible brains are also resilient, that is, they are able to
‘bounce back’ from difficult life circumstances, lack of sleep, and
exposure to harmful substances. It is appropriate from time-to-time
for a person to experience a degree of stress, which motivates one
to spring to action. Once the necessary action has been taken, the
resilient brain allows the return to a relaxed state, which is
necessary to get proper rest and recovery. It is in this relaxed
state of openness that we are present and available in
relationships.
Who Can Benefit From
Neurofeedback?
Because neurofeedback is exercise for the brain, anyone can
benefit. It is particularly useful to decrease symptoms
of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD)
- Emotion
dysregulation
- Hypervigilance
- Racing thoughts
- Sleep disorders and insomnia
- Attention and Concentration (Attention Deficit Disorder [ADD],
Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder
[ADHD])
- Stress
- Headaches and chronic pain
- Low energy and chronic fatigue
- Post-Concussion Syndrome and Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI)
- Brain fog
- Cognitive declined due to aging
- Fibromyalgia
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive alternative to those who react adversely or fail to respond to mainstream treatments. Neurofeedback is particularly appropriate for those who have not responded well to medication or who have experienced unwanted side effects resulting from medication use, who are pregnant and therefore do not want to take medication, or who would prefer a non-chemical intervention. Neurofeedback recruits the brain’s ability to change itself, training it to function more adaptively. Similar to learning anything new, the effects of brain-training with neurofeedback are sustained.
People on psychotropic
medications, like SSRIs for depression and anxiety, do not need to
change their medication regimen to do neurofeedback. Some find that
as their symptoms decrease so does the need for medication. In such
cases we recommend people speak with their prescribing physician
about dose modification.
Neurofeedback
can restore optimal sleep-wake cycles, stabilize emotions, and
reduce cravings. As brain functioning normalizes, becoming
increasingly adaptive and resilient, symptoms are
reduced.
Because neurofeedback trains the brain towards optimal functioning,
this procedure is useful for a wide variety of individuals looking
to increase their performance in sports, at work, academics, or
general quality of life. For health individuals, neurofeedback can
improve focus and attention, cognitive flexibility, creativity,
sleep quality, and emotion regulation.
Self-Assessment Quiz: Is Neurofeedback Right for You?
Use this short self-assessment to determine if and how Neurofeedback therapy might be a suitable option for you. Select the statement that best describes your experience for each question.
1. How would you describe your ability to focus or concentrate?
- A) Excellent, no problems with concentration.
- B) Sometimes I struggle, but it's not a major issue.
- C) I often have difficulty focusing and it affects my daily life.
2. Do you experience anxiety or stress?
- A) Rarely or never.
- B) Occasionally, but it's manageable.
- C) Frequently, and it interferes with my daily life.
3. How do you find your sleep quality?
- A) Good, I rarely have trouble sleeping.
- B) Inconsistent, sometimes I have sleep problems.
- C) Poor, I frequently experience sleep disorders or insomnia.
4. Do you suffer from chronic pain, headaches, or fatigue?
- A) No, I don't experience any of these symptoms.
- B) Occasionally, but it doesn't significantly affect me.
- C) Yes, I often experience one or more of these symptoms.
5. Have you found traditional treatments (such as medication) to be ineffective or problematic?
- A) I haven't needed traditional treatments.
- B) I've used traditional treatments with success.
- C) Traditional treatments have been ineffective or caused adverse side effects.
Your Results:
- Mostly A's: Neurofeedback might still be beneficial for you as a tool for optimizing brain function and enhancing performance. If you are looking for ways to improve focus, attention, cognitive flexibility, creativity, and more, consider exploring this therapy.
- Mostly B's: You may find Neurofeedback helpful in addressing occasional or moderate symptoms you experience. Consult with a specialist to determine a customized therapy plan that could assist in improving these areas.
- Mostly C's: Neurofeedback therapy could be a particularly effective option for you, especially if traditional treatments haven't worked. The symptoms and experiences you've described are often addressed successfully with Neurofeedback. Schedule a consultation to explore how this therapy might benefit your specific situation.
This self-assessment is not a diagnostic tool. If you believe you might benefit from Neurofeedback therapy, please schedule an appointment with a qualified practitioner at Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback.
What is the Experience of
Neurofeedback Therapy
Like?
During a training session, clients sit in a comfortable chair
facing a monitor, watching a movie or listening to music while
shapes and images move onscreen. Sensors applied to the scalp
receive electrical information produced by the brain. No
electricity is delivered to the brain. Whenever the brain becomes
overactive or underactive, a very short and subtle pause in the
audio/video feed is delivered. The brain correlates this feedback
with the under- or overactive brain activity and reorganizes
itself. The brain’s adaptive and self-regulatory mechanisms utilize
the feedback without any conscious intervention by the
client.
We recommend that for at least the first 8-10 sessions, people come
for two appointments per week. We also accommodate those who would
prefer once or three times per week neurofeedback
sessions.
What are the Effects of
Neurofeedback?
The effects of neurofeedback are often noticeable even after the
first session. Clients often report feeling more relaxed and less
anxious than when they arrived for their session. Some say they
feel more alert and clear-minded, as though brain fog has lifted.
Others whose concern is depression find that their mood is slightly
lighter as they leave the office. Some find they are falling asleep
faster, staying asleep longer, and that their quality of sleep has
improved.
Those with ADHD or attention difficulties, find that they are
able to get into a state of focus more quickly and retain the state
for longer durations. Children with ADHD who train with
neurofeedback are better able to concentrate on tasks other than
video games. These effects of neurofeedback lengthen and grow as
clients continue training. The efficacy for neurofeedback for ADHD
has been demonstrated in a 2019 meta analysis of the controlled
studies research indicating that neurofeedback results in sustained
improvement in hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention compared
to randomized control groups (Van Doren et.
al).
Are There Any Side Effects of
Neurofeedback?
Most people do not experience any negative side effects of
neurofeedback. However, for some who have suffered psychological
trauma, current symptoms can increase temporarily. Such individuals
may get a slight headache, feel a little more “amped up,” or find
it difficult to fall asleep the night after the session. These do
not endure longer than a few hours after the session and very
rarely do they appear after the second session. These side effects
are indication that the brain is responding to the feedback and
such individuals typically train well
Different Types of Neurofeedback
Therapy
Linear
Neurofeedback
Some types of neurofeedback therapy require a quantitative EEG
assessment (QEEG) or brain map. This is a brainwave recording taken
at various locations on the scalp, which is compared to databases
to determine abnormalities. The brain map shows the average
electrical output from various brain regions that, when compared to
the database, shows where these abnormalities are. We use this
information along symptoms reported to determine how the brain
should be trained. This is called linear neurofeedback because it
encourages the brain to produce more or less of a particular
frequency, in one direction.
Let's say the brain map shows that the back of the brain is too
fast and the person often feels stressed, anxious, and has
insomnia. The brain depicted shows a high concentration of fast
wave, or beta, and/or a low concentration of a slow frequency
called theta. We train this area to slow down by placing a sensor
over the appropriate location and setting the instrument to deliver
feedback to reinforce increased theta and decreased beta - activity
that will promote a relaxed state. We use audio/visual feedback,
often in the form of a movie, which brightens or increases in size
when the brain begins to relax in the target area. With regular and
frequent training, the brain strengthens its ability to access this
state more often and the person gradually experiences a reduction
of the related symptoms.
Sojourn provides this kind of neurotherapy in the office. We also
provide the option to allow clients to train their brains from home
with rental neurofeedback systems. This allows people to do
neurofeedback sessions more frequently, whenever and wherever they
choose. Our linear neurofeedback system allows people to do an EEG
assessment at home. We receive the results and set the system to
train the under-functioning brainwaves. We receive the results of
every training session and can adjust the training parameters as
needed, remotely. Learn more about our linear neurofeedback rental
system.
NeurOptimal®
Neurofeedback
Other types of neurofeedback systems, like NeurOptimal®, do not
require a QEEG assessment as these systems determine when to
deliver feedback during the training session itself. The
NeurOptimal® system does not require an additional brain-mapping
session because it is assessing the brain's
activity during the training session in real time. One
significant difference between linear systems and NeurOptimal® is
that NeurOptimal® measures how the brain is operating across time.
It does not encourage the brain to produce more or less of a
particular set of brainwaves.
NeurOptimal® encourages the brain to better adapt to the
necessities of the moment. Changing conditions require quick
adaptation to meet the challenge. This system samples the spectrum
of the brain's electrical output 256 times per second over both
hemispheres simultaneously and measures this data across time to
determine how adaptive and flexible the brain is. This system
delivers feedback when the brain is changing too quickly or not
fast enough. Most of our clients respond well to this kind of
neurofeedback therapy and is therefore the intervention we
recommend first. Sojourn also offers NeurOptimal® neurofeedback
rental systems.
Neurofeedback
Research
The Zengar
Institute
The Journal of
Neurotherapy
Get the help
you need. Schedule an appointment today!